JACOBS’ Crackers
He outfoxed his rivals with a beautifully timed front-running ride on Aidan O’Brien’s talented four-year-old.
The jockey got the fractions spot on as the pair sped to a cosy success.
Only Frankie Dettori on Wings Of Desire put up any sort of challenge but was fought off by Moore who had kept something up his sleeve for the final furlong.
The Queen’s Dartmouth never landed a serious blow but stayed on late to grab third spot.
Narrowly beaten by Dartmouth in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, the winner attracted a flood of support yesterday and was backed into 13-8 favourite to gain his revenge.
Moore set a steady pace but sent his mount into a clear lead in the back straight before giving him a breather, which allowed the chasing pack to close up. Highland Reel remained in front turning for home and quickened away to score by a length and a quarter from Wings Of Desire.
Moore said: “He’s a very good horse and has won in America and Hong Kong. It’s a marvellous achievement from Aidan to get him back in this shape to win this sort of race. He’s very professional.”
Hugo Lascelles, racing manager to Wings Of Desire’s owner-breeder Lady Bamford, said: “He has come on from the Derby and the ground was more in his favour. Frankie thought he was going to get to Highland Reel but he just out-galloped him to the line.”
John Warren, racing manager to The Queen, said: “Olivier Peslier was thrilled with him. He got a little bit lost turning into the straight. He was on the wrong leg and it took him a few moments to get back organised again and he lost a little momentum at that point.
“The Queen is delighted. He is a genuine, trustworthy horse that tries his best in this company.”
Earlier, Fair Eva was hugely impressive in the Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes and was cut to about 4-1 for the 1,000 Guineas next spring.
The daughter of Frankel could next run in either the Lowther at York or the Moyglare at the Curragh. LAST week’s tips were headlined by the 10-1 Tipperary winner Oscar Boss alongside winning tips at 9-4, 9-2, 13-8 and 11-4.
SUNDAY SERVICE I have been over a cliff so many times with YEEOOW (nap), so my fear of heights could well be tested yet again this afternoon when the seven-year-old lines up at Pontefract (4.35).
However, I am greatly encouraged by his course record of 2331, the fact he runs off his lowest handicap mark for three years and the nature of the opposition.
It’s also worth noting that favourites have only landed this contest two out of the last ten years.
Earlier on at the M25 track, GREEN HOWARD may cause a minor upset in the mile-and-a-quarter handicap at 3.25. He has never won over the trip but has been crying out for the extra yardage and is preferred to the well handicapped Intiwin.
Five furlongs is definitely the trip for HARBOUR LIGHTNING and on his nursery debut he looks well handicapped off 65 at Carlisle (2.40).
Over at Uttoxeter, PRESENTING ARMS (3.35) can step up to land the gold medal after two narrow defeats and the drying ground is definitely in his favour.
But the best bet on the card could be GRANDADS HORSE at 4.10. Reverting to timber, he is rated 4lb lower than over fences and has the services of the mighty Richard Johnson to boot. THE WEEK AHEAD Of course, it’s all about Glorious Goodwood this week and that means it’s Mark Johnston time!
FIRE FIGHTING is back down to a fair mark in Tuesday’s opener (2.00) and can improve on his third in this race last year and make the most of the weight he receives from stablemate Revolutionist.
If the ground remains fast then DUTCH CONNECTION has solid claims later that day in the Lennox Stakes but my best bet of the week is CURBYOURENTHUSIASM in the Goodwood Cup on Thursday (3.10).
Top of the ground is his domain, he remains unexposed and his devouring stride can pick up the likes of last year’s winner Big Orange and the improving three-yearold Sword Fighter
And finally I will throw one in at a big price for Saturday’s Stewards’ Cup with my each-way pick RIVELLINO.
HOT TO TROT SALIERI was merely beaten by his lack of experience at Lingfield last week and his turn is close at hand. And MOST BEAUTIFUL to my eyes was not given the best of rides in a Listed race at Naas on Wednesday.
It could be that she wants a further drop to five furlongs given she travels so well in her races.